By hit the floor I don’t mean we dropped them or anything but you probably knew that. While the list below outlines the mix of styles of bikes we’ve just received, my fav is the Scale Expert 29 Full Carbon uber light dream machine that is less than 3 grand.  If you told me 5 years ago that full carbon mountain bikes would be viable and relatively affordable I would have said you were nuts. And I would have been wrong.

Heres a list of the styles of bikes:

• Scale 29″ hardtails
• Spark 29″ full suspension bike
• CR1 full carbon road bikes
• Speedster aluminum road bikes
• SUB sport utility bikes
• Sportster performance hybrid

Argon 18 is a small Canadian company that makes very cool road and triathlon bikes.  Started by Gervais Rioux, a member of the Canadian National Team with Steve Bauer, the goal was to provide bikes that are fast but are comfortable and fit as well as you can do without going custom.  Based on the ride quality and geometry they are spot on.  For 2012, they have upped their game again with the new E-118 triathlon bike in particular that is one of the fastest aerodynamically and is super adjustable for fit.

2012 Argon 18 Road Bikes

Radon

Get great performance at an affordable price with this aluminum/carbon fiber mix frame. If you are looking to get into a bike for racing or gran fondo riding this is a good choice.

Krypton

Argon 18′s entry level carbon fiber bikes has a lot of technology going on. The 3D head tube allows you to adjust the length of the head tube without a big stack of spacers. The tubing shape and carbon lay up are designed to be pretty stiff while still being comfortable on long rides.

Gallium

This is the same mold as the Gallium pro with a slightly heavier carbon lay-up so you get the same handling in a less expensive package. Great for the racer on a budget or distance rider who wants really crisp high speed handling.

Gallium Pro

This is the top of the line road bike, ridden by Team Spidertech. Light, stiff and reasonably comfortable, the Gallium Pro is for the rider who wants the best qualities all in one package.

2012 Argon 18 Triathlon and Time Trial Bikes

E-80

When you need aero on a budget the E-80 is a good choice. Fast but affordable this aluminum tri bike is a light, stiff and aero value.

E-112

This used to be the high end bike. Now the price drops but the technology doesn’t. This is the secret of carbon. When the mold is paid for they can make the same bike for a lot less. Get last years cutting edge for the price of many companies entry level bike.

E-116

The same frame mold as the E-118 with a standard stem, aerobar and more conventional aero fork. You get most of the gains at a lower price. Fast, great fit and stable at speed.

E-118

This is where all the stops have been pulled. Every part of this bike has been optimized to cheat the wind. The most aerodynamic frame Argon 18 has made is mated with an aero fork with built in nose cone and their exclusive One-ness aerobar kit. Not only is the bar one of the most aerodynamic on the market, it’s also very adjustable.

Imagine not having to stop riding when the trails are covered in snow.  Instead of being an unrideable obstacle, the deep white powder is a new play ground. To make this work you need a tire footprint like a snow shoe.  We’re not talking fat tires on a mountain bike.  Even the mighty 29″er doesn’t have enough float. You need something special. This is where the Salsa Mukluk comes in. Built around monsterish 100 mm wide tires this bike is at home on anything soft and loose. Deep snow or sand dunes can actually be ridden instead of walked.  And you can still ride the Mukluk on trails in the summer. The traction and float of the massive tires make easy work of technical trails. It may not be the fastest bike you own but it sure is the funnest.

Think of winters past. Instead of slaving away on an indoor trainer you can throw on a set of lights and ride the trails all winter long.  Apart from the fun, think of the fitness you’ll have come spring. A blizzard isn’t an excuse to stay inside anymore.

Drop in and check out the Salsa Mukluk.  It may make a winter athlete out of you.

When we talk about dream bikes, we’re talking about owning the bicycle equivalent of a Ferrari. You don’t buy it because you need it. You buy it because you can. And the bicycle version is a lot more affordable.

In the dream bike category there are a lot of stock bikes, mass produced in Asia. Nothing wrong with those bikes but when I think of the ultimate bike I like the idea of something you can’t buy off the rack.

This is where Guru Bikes comes in. They build each bike to suit the rider with custom geometry to fit you and only you. Then they paint it the way you want. That is the idea of a dream bike.

Guru has a number of road models but the flagship is the Photon. It’s light (740 grams for a 54 cm) but the weight is only part of the story. A light bike is nothing if it doesn’t ride well. When you ride a Photon it’s like the bike disappears under you. It’s stiff enough that the power goes to the rear wheel without a notice of flex but it isn’t rough.  It feels like you float over the pavement, the bike encouraging you to keep driving the pedals. Being custom, we can make the bike handle how ever you like. Guru is one of the only companies on the planet that builds custom full carbon fiber bikes and they just happen to do it right here in Canada.

When you go on your local group ride you don’t have to worry about everyone having the same bike as you. No other one exists like your Photon.  The joy of custom is that you can have a bike that is cutting edge but also tailored to your body. Don’t sacrifice a perfect fit just to have the latest technology.

With the Guru Photon you can have your cake and eat it too. But not too much as you need to keep your power to weight ratio in check.

We have a sample Photon in the Kitchener store. Drop by and drool.

For more info about the Guru Photon check out their website.

When looking for a bike that will actually make you faster on the triathlon or time trial course look no further than the Argon 18 E-118.  There is so much going on with this bike to cut through the wind that it boggles the mind.

• UCI legal frame that has been shaped and tweaked to slide like butter through the wind while still handling well.
• Aero fork with external steerer tube to further improve the aerodynamic profile.
• Integrated aero bar, base bar and stem. Because it all works together you get tunable fit with optimized aerodynamics.
• 3D head tube allowing for the stack height to be tuned to the rider without sacrificing strength and safety.
• Custom  aerobrakes that are easy to adjust ( doesn’t seem like a big deal until you have to adjust the brakes on an tri bike. Most are a nightmare to adjust and don’t work very well.)

Find out more about Argon 18′s flagship tri bike:

Rocky Mountain redefines 29″er full suspension

Big wheels and full suspension is either a recipe for fun or will scare you off depending on your view point.  I love the big wheels but any of the full suspension 29″er I had ridden we’re kind of bus-like in their handling and flexy.  So it was a pleasant surprise when I had the chance to test the Rocky Mountain Element 950.  Instead of just up sizing the current Element design to fit the bigger wheels, they started with a blank canvas to create a unique geometry for the their new 29″ wheeled bikes.

Having been on 29″ers for a decade and ridden many versions I’ve got a pretty good idea how 29″ers handle.  It has always been a trade off between stability and quick handling in tight single track.  I’m happy to announce that the compromise is over.  The changes to the Element 29″ platform have quickened up the handling in at the relatively slower speeds in twisty single track while still giving you the confidence at high speed 29″er are known for.

They went through many variations until they came up with this version. The thing with bike geometry is each variable changes how the bike rides.   To dial in the handling the engineers from Rocky Mountain raised the bottom bracket, shortened the chainstays, slackened the head tube angle and shortened the top tube over current 29″er geometry.  This quickened up the handling and increased ground clearance to reduce pedal strikes without noticeably changing the stability.  I rode the 26″ and 29″ version back to back and found the handling almost identical but smashed my pedals into the ground on the 26″ and didn’t have that happen over the same course on the 29″.

They addressed stiffness from front to back starting with a tapered steer fork and 15 mm thru axle. The bottom bracket is a press fit BB92 and the back end of the Element 900 series is tied together with a 142 mm rear hub with a 12 mm thru axle.  The thru axles slow down fixing flats but this isn’t as big of a problem as it used to be as most people are going tubeless which dramatically reduces flats.  To top off the flex fighting program are the angular contact bushings which are 105% stiffer than standard pivot bearings according the Rocky Mountain.

The build kit is a SRAM X9/X7 2X10 mix with Formula RX hydraulic Brakes. With the wider range of rear gears you don’t miss the granny gear and get much better front shifting than you would with a triple.  Up front is a Rock Shox Revelation RL Air with adjustable travel between 90-120 mm with just the turn of a dial.  I liked it best in the shortest travel but you can tune to taste. The DT rims are tubeless compatible so the conversion will be relatively painless.  The bar, stem and seat post are all from Easton. The quality is great so the only reason to change is for fit. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Fizik Gobi saddle but that is an easy switch.  At least they are putting a high quality name-brand saddle on instead of the throw aways you see from many companies.  This will give you good trade in value if you do need to change.

For me this bike is a game changer. It’s the first full suspension bike I’ve ridden in the last 10 years that I want to own.  My personal mountain bike is a 29″er rigid single speed and none of the bikes I’ve tested before the Element have made me want to switch back to gears and suspension.  It seems that they have fixed all of the complaints of 29″er full suspension in one fell swoop. In an industry that does things in baby steps that is saying a lot.

And you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to have one of your own.   The Element 950 which I tested will sell for $3299 which is a fair price for what you get. This is the middle model of the Element 29″er series so you can save a few on the 930 or get a blinged out machine if you like with the 970.

We are working on getting demo models of the 950 for spring so people can try for themselves and see how good they are.

Rocky Mountain Vertex 970 RSL 29"er

This review is tough to write as I don’t know where to begin with the paradigm shift we are seeing with this bike.  Five years ago the idea of riding a carbon fiber frame offroad seemed insane. Okay for road but not tough enough for the trail.  Now that idea has been dumped on it’s head. For 2012, many companies are offering carbon fiber mountain bikes in hardtail and full suspension with both 26″ and 29″ wheels. The first of these new wonder bikes I’ve been able to test is the Rocky Mountain 29″ Vertex 970 RSL.  Full carbon 29″er with new geometry and sexy style.

If you were to ask me how to describe the Vertex 970, it would have to be as a road bike that  can ride through rock gardens.  It’s not as weird as it sounds.  The 960 gram frame is as responsive and quick handling as many carbon road bikes with tons of stiffness where it counts. Combine this with the natural shock absorbing qualities of the material and you have a bike that screams to be pushed harder even if you don’t have the fitness to do it.

That’s not to say the Vertex 970 is only a race bike.  It’s one of the most comfortable hardtails I’ve thrown my leg over.  It just happens to be that all the power your legs generate makes it to the rear wheel without beating the crap out of you.  It’s not as smooth as a full suspension 29″er which I’ll review soon but it’s the most comfortable hardtail I’ve ridden. I’m riding a double butted cromoly bike and this was smoother and stiffer.

The engineering that went into this frame is quite impressive.  They combine a tapered steerer tube with a front 15 mm thru axle to stiffen up the front end.  The bottom bracket is a BB86 pressfit to improve power transfer at the crank and the rear end it tied together with a 142 mm rear hub with a 12 mm thru axle.  Set up the tires tubeless and the lack of quick releases won’t be an issue as flats will be almost non-existent.

Aside from the technology in the frame, the other big story is the new 29″er geometry Rocky Mountain has come out with.  The complaint about 29″ers is that they are slow steering in tight, twisty trails. With the changes done to the Vertex this is a thing of the past.  To mimic the handling of a 26″ wheel they raised the bottom bracket, shortened the chainstays and used a fork with more offset to get a balanced package that is quick on tight trails but still has the stability we come to expect from 29″ wheels.  I’ve been on 29″ers since 2001 and this is the best handling big wheel bike I’ve ridden.

The test track was at Albion Hills Conservation Area which is home to the 24 hour races here in Ontario.  If you’ve ridden there you will be familiar with the rolling hills and twisting single track.  The Vertex 970 was like a road bike on the double track.  Drop the hammer and go.  All that power goes to the rear wheel.  Once you hit the single track it just dances.  I’ve been on 29″ wheels for so long that I don’t notice the little extra body english needed to dice through the single track until it was gone.  The first few corners I over steered  but once I got used to the timing it felt like I was slicing and dicing through the woods.  One of my first good bikes was a Rocky Mountain Blizzard 20 years ago.  This reminds me of the feeling I had riding it. Definitely a step above the current lot of 29″er hard tails on the market.  For 2012 Rocky has dropped the glove and come out to fight.

The 970 comes with SRAM X9 and Formula brakes. The drive train is a 2X10 system which you’ll be seeing a lot more for 2012.  Lighter weight, better shifting and a cleaner chain line are all benefits to this system. The drive train worked flawlessly but I’m not entirely sure how the well the front shifts as I did my whole ride in the big ring.  As I ride a single speed a lot of the time when I ran out of gears on the back I just stood up rather than thinking to shift down.

Rocky Mountain Demo Day at Albion Hills

As anyone who reads my reviews know I’m honest in my reviews and try to present the good with the bad so you get a true picture of a bike so you can make an informed decision when choosing your new ride.  With the Vertex it’s hard not to sound like a fan boy but trust me if it steered like a bus I would tell you that.  My only complaints I had are the ones I have with almost every bike because nothing comes with my favorite saddle and grips out of the box.  As far as handling, ride quality, weight and stiffness this is as  close to magic as I’ve ever ridden.  Light and stiff. Smooth and great handling.  The only mark against it is the price but then there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Velonews just posted a bike profile of the Argon 18 Gallium Pro ridden by Team Spidertech rider Pat McCarty.

Check out how the pros have there machines set up. With a big enough budget your can have a bike exactly the same.

Read More…

When looking at carbon fiber road bikes it can get confusing.  Different types of carbon fiber and different shaped frames all lead to bikes that look similar on paper but ride very different out on the road.  This is the hard part with carbon.

When you look at metal bikes, each type of metal has specific characteristics that hold true for bike made from that material.  Steel is a springy material that trades stiffness for comfort and durability. Aluminum is stiffer but gives a harsher ride and isn’t as durable. And historically, Litespeed has been known for titanium which is the most durable material and sits between steel and aluminum ride wise.  When they took the step into carbon bikes Litespeed covered their bases with a stiff aero frame in the “C” series and a more comfortable all-rounder in the bike I’m reviewing, the M1.

Available from Litespeed with SRAM APEX, the model reviewed differed in that it was built up with a Shimano 105 group.  As usual, the 105 drivetrain worked flawlessly.  If you have a bike equipped with Shimano 105 and better or SRAM Rival and up, you can expect great shifting as long as it’s setup well.

The heart of this review is based on the ride quality and performance of the frame set.   The M1 is Litespeed’s entry level carbon bike but doesn’t ride like an entry level bike. The frame is stiff at the bottom bracket which isn’t a surprise when you note the construction. The downtube/seatube junction is beefy with a large diameter downtube adding to the torsional stiffness.  The toptube is an hour glass shape wider at the headtube and narrowing in the middle. When I unload in an all out sprint it feels like all the power is driving to the rear wheel with no brake rub or noticeable front end flex. The oversized chainstays resist flex under load while the thin seatstays add a lot to the comfort of the ride.

On hill climbs the bike responds well to both steady power and accelerations.  Under a better climber than me it would be a rocket. It’s a better climber than the Time Edge Racer that I rode last year.  It’s a more solid feeling bike.  The Time was whippy like an old school steel bike, whereas the Litespeed M1 is more like a stiff aluminum bike that doesn’t beat you up.

Sturdy bottom bracket and chainstays mean great power transfer on the Litespeed M1

The fit of the M1 allows for a comfortable position as the headtube is a little longer than many of the race oriented bikes. A medium has a 160 mm head tube which allows me to get my bar even with my seat without the stem angled up.  Unlike a lot of relaxed fit bikes, the performance is on par with any race bike I’ve ridden.  While the fit is good for an aging athlete like me it isn’t a super soft ride. The comfort over rough roads is good for a race bike but if you are looking for a super smooth century and charity ride bike I would suggest the Rocky Mountain Prestige as it’s longer wheelbase will yield less beating over long rides with a similar fit.

Describing the ride of a bike is a lot like telling someone what something tastes like. While you can get lab measurements of how stiff a bike is but it doesn’t tell you what it’s like out on the road. The M1 is a great all round road machine that balances stiffness, weight and ride quality as well as having a little more relaxed bar position.  For the quality of the construction and detail that goes into this frameset the price with SRAM APEX is a very good value ($2399 CAD).  As usual with a bike of this price you will benefit in the speed department by upgrading the wheels and tires but this isn’t necessary to enjoy the ride.

A few years ago when I talked about 29″ wheeled mountain bikes (29″ers) I got a lot of blank stares.  Now more people are becoming aware of this off road option.  29″ers are frames and forks built around wheels that are 3″ bigger than the average mountain bike and are a whole lot of fun to ride.

The big wheels roll over obstacles faster and smoother than 26″ wheels because they have a lower angle of attack.  Choppy rooty sections can be attacked much faster as you’ll hold your speed.  This leads to less fatigue over long rides as you don’t have to accelerate as often.  As well it increases the safety factor as I’ve had plenty of times that I missed an obstacle and the bump acted like a speed bump rather than throw me over the bars.  This is especially important later in a ride as your get tired and your reaction time is off.

In mud and sand, the 29″er doesn’t sink as much as a 26″ wheel. It’s kind of like a snow shoe in soft conditions.  I find they track better in soft surfaces as well.  It’s easier to hold a straight line allowing you to take the shortest distance through sand without auguring the front wheel causing you to lose momentum.

The larger wheel size also creates a longer contact patch which results in improved traction for hill climbing and cornering.  This is really noticeable on those steep loose climbs that you spin out half the time. The 29″er just cruise them.

In the corners you can safely carry more speed reducing the need to accelerate as much coming out of the corner.  The ability to hold a higher speed under a lot of varied conditions reduces fatigue on long rides which is one of the reasons they are so popular with endurance racers.  As well the higher axles on the 29″ wheels make endos much less of a problem.  29″ers are a little heavier than a 26″ built up exactly the same way due to the larger wheels but I’ve found the advantages more than make up for it.

For taller riders, the increase in wheel size really helps keep the handling of the bike balanced.  As frame size gets bigger the rider gets higher over the axles making the bike top heavy and endos more likely.  As a side benefit the bike also looks better as you don’t have this huge frame with tiny looking wheels any more.

While they can be great for tall riders, shorter riders still enjoy the benefits. I’m 5’8″ and I love how they ride.  I haven’t owned a 26? wheeled mountain bike in 10 years because all of the 26″ bikes I’ve tested since feel twitchy.

Originally you could only get them from a couple of companies but now just about every company has 29″ers in the line-up.  They fall into a few different styles including: Front suspension, full suspension and single speed.

My personal favorites are from Redline and Scott.  The Scott Scale Pro is a 23.5 lb carbon race machine for just over $3000. The geometry is dialled in so you are stable at speed but handles the tight twisties like it’s on rails.  You can attack hills like you’re on a road bike but be confident and stable ripping on the downhills.

If you are looking for a new mountain bike, investigate the 29″er option. It just might change the way you ride.

Saturday April 30, 2011

10am & 2pm

That’s right! – Bring your helmet and your cycling shoes and plan on spending an hour or so out on the latest in Bicycling Technology dream bike.  Argon18 will have their fleet of test ride bikes here at Braun’s Kitchener Store.  But you must pre-book your ride time .

The 2011 Fleet of  Argon18 Test Bikes consists of both the Gallium Pro and E-114  all equiped with Shimano Dura Ace - in various sizes.  The idea is to hit the road with Dominique who manages the Argon18 demo fleet and enjoy a real ride, on an awesome bike and learn about what makes the Argon18 Bikes so special.

There will be two rides on SaturdayApril 30th.  First at 10am and again at 2pm.  We want to get all the bikes out on the road each time out, so it is really important to book your test ride in advance.  We will be booking them on a first come basis.  There is also only a limited amount of each sized bike.

Pat is doing all of the bookings for this.  So either email Pat at  kitchener@brauns.com or phone the Kitchener Store 519-579-2453 ext #1 followed by another 1 and ask to book an Argon18 test ride.

This only happens once a year, as this fleet of Argon18 is travelling the country.  Their next stop is Kingston Ontario.

There will be 10 Gallium Pro Dura Ace bikes (pictured above)
1 * XXS
2 * XS
2 * S
3 * M
2 * L

There will be 4 E-114 Dura Ace equiped bikes (pictured above)
XS
S
M
L

Some Details:

Each Rider will be required to bring their own:

• Helmet
• Shoes
• Pedals
• What you use for hydration (bottle, camelbak)
• and of course your riding gear

Riders must be 18 years or older.

Each rider must follow the rules of the road.

Please be at the Kitchener Store 1/2 hour prior to your riding time, changed and ready to ride.

Please be careful – you may fall in love!

Any questions – ask Pat.

Don’t miss out.  This is an amazing opportunity to really find out what a top end Pro Bicycle feels like on our roads.

Thanks Argon18 for this rare treat!

 Bicycles

Can be operated on roads in Ontario.  In the HTA, the definition of bicycle includes tricycles and unicycles but not motor-assisted bicycles. You do not need a drivers licence to operate a bicycle in Ontario.

A bicycle is a vehicle that:

• has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals
• is designed to be propelled by muscular power
• has no age restriction for operators
• can be operated on most roadways (e.g., not allowed to travel on 400 series highways)
• cannot be operated across a roadway within a pedestrian cross-over

An operator must wear a bicycle helmet if under 18 and operating the bicycle on the road. If the operator is under 16 it is the duty of the operator’s parent or guardian to ensure that he/she wears a helmet. If the person is 16 or 17 it is his or her personal responsibility to wear a helmet.

No passengers are allowed if the bicycle is only meant for one person. When going slower than the rest of traffic, cyclists should stay as close to the right edge of the road as is practicable. Cyclists are allowed to safely use the full lane if staying close to the right edge of the road is unsafe.

Electrical Bicycles (“e-bikes”)

If you are looking for a bike that has “Performance and Portability” then this product may be of interest to you.   Road bike or Mountain bike,  1 speed to 27 speeds, assorted sizes and priced from $599.98 to $2499.98.  The unique feature of these bicycles is that they fold.  That’s right….they fold. 

These bikes fold or unfold in under 20 seconds and no tools are required.  Simply remove the front wheel, unlock one frame quick release and fold or unfold.   The frames are made of 7005 series aircraft grade aluminum so they are strong, yet light.  Choose from Pavement or Mountain Bikes.  Full information and specs are available on our website, www.brauns.com .

Some Montague bike basics unique to this brand of bike:

CLIX quick release lever allows the bike to be folded in less than 20 seconds.

F.I.T. (Folding Integrated Technology) is a patented folding system which is based on frame construction and eliminates “breaking” the frame in order to make this the strongest folding bike frame on the market. 

PAVEMENT BIKES

CROSSTOWN:   Just fold and go. The ever classic do-it-all bike. Whether you are riding for health and fitness, or just using it as a means to get around town, the Crosstown’s the perfect ride.

• Speeds: 7
• Wheel Size: 700c
• Folding Time: 20 sec.
• Folded Size: 36″x28″x12″
• Approx Weight: 27lbs

BOSTON:  The BOSTON brings back the basics as the first available 700c single speed folding bike. Stripping away the complexities of urban life, this folding bike leaves you face-to-face with the open streets.

The Essentials

 The Essentials

• Speeds: 27
• Wheel Size: 700c
• Folding Time: 20 sec.
• Folded Size: 36″x28″x12″
• Weight: 27.5lbs

  FIT:  With the speed of a road bike, the versatility of a hybrid, and Montague’s legendary folding bike frame design, the FIT was created in order to provide the highest performance road ride of any foldable bike available, bar none

• Speeds: 27
• Wheel Size: 700c
• Folding Time: 20 sec.
• Folded Size: 36″x28″x12″
• Approx Weight: 26lbs

MOUNTAIN:

SWISS BIKE X50:  Like all Montagues, the SwissBike X50 is designed to fold and fit anywhere. With front suspension and all terrain tires, the X50 folding bike makes for the perfect light trail bike or rugged commuter.

• Speeds: 18
• Wheel Size: 26″
• Folding Time: 20 sec.
• Folded Size: 36″x28″x12″
• Approx Weight: 32lbs

• Speeds: 24
• Wheel Size:26″
• Folding Time: 20 sec.
• Folded Size: 36″x28″x12″
• Approx Weight: 29lbs

SWISS BIKE X70:  The SwissBike X70 is a rugged 27-speed folding mountain bike. Sharing the same solid frame design as the X90, the X70 is built for after-work rides on your favorite trails and full-on weekend excursions up in the mountains

• Speeds: 27
• Wheel Size: 26″
• Folding Time: 20 sec.
• Folded Size: 36″x28″x12″
• Approx Weight: 29lbs

SWISS BIKE XO:  The SwissBike XO is an aggressive 27-speed folding hardtail that can rail rugged single track with the best of them. With a stiff frame and a snappy ride, the XO folding bike beckons to the avid rider who demands both performance and portability.

• Speeds: 27
• Wheel Size: 26″
• Folding Time: 20 sec.
• Folded Size: 36″x28″x12″
• Approx Weight: 27lbs

Soft Carrying Case

Folding Pedals

Hey everyone,

It has been a long and rainy week, and I have not been able to enjoy as many rides as I normally do. This has allowed me to further appreciate my morning commutes into the shop and made me analyze the many different styles of bikes available and the different applications they are designed for.

In this post, I hope to identify and distinguish between the different bikes that are available and the applications and riding styles for which they are designed. This can be significant when looking at purchasing a bike or when determining if the bike you have is the correct one for you.

There are 4-6 different styles of bikes available depending on how you divide up the styles.  However, I will break them down into the 6 full categories to give you the best comparison between them.

First, there are what are known as Road bikes (see above): these bikes typically have 700C or 650C wheels and are designed with an attack geometry to favour speed, over comfort or functionality. These bikes are fully rigid and can be made of materials from Steel to Carbon Fibre. They are available in all component levels and can extend from recreational to race or competitive models. Road bikes are designed strictly for road riding as their narrow tires and low gearing range promote high levels of speed on back country roads or the track.

Second, there are devoted Mountain bikes (seen above): these bikes typically consist of wheel sizes from 26″ to 29″ and are designed for durability and speed for use off roads on technical trail sections. These bikes are available in rigid models, front suspension models and full suspension models, depending on your preference. Further, these bikes are available in all component levels and can extend from recreational or entry level models, to racing or endurance models. Mountain bikes are best for trail riding, as they have  knobby tires and a high gearing range to make clearing all obstacles a possibility.

The third style of bicycle is known as Hybrid bikes (seen above): these bikes typically consist of a 700c wheel size, but are equipped with wider tires, and front suspension (to the riders preference) to make them more practical in multiple riding conditions. These bikes are very common for commuting as they are designed with gearing ratios for in city riding and can be equipped with internal gearing components to make them year round reliable transportation rigs.

The fourth style of bicycle is what`s known as a Cross Bike (seen above):  these bikes are designed with 700c wheels and road components, with gearing ratios to support on road riding  and speed. Similar to road bikes they are fully rigid. However, these bikes are considered cross bikes as a result of their ability to cross over into the mountain trails because of their design with re-inforced wheels and knobby tires which provide grip and control on single track trails. These bikes still have drop bars in a road bike fashion, yet they are equipped with mountain levers to offer better control in multiple riding conditions.

The fifth style of bicycle available is what is known as Comfort Bikes (seen above): these bikes are designed typically with 26` wheels and large volume tires to make the ride as smooth as possible. These bikes are typically designed with front suspension and suspension seat posts to make the ride as smooth and enjoyable as possible for the user. These styles of bikes are currently designed for style as well as function with step-through frames for women, and wooden racks and fenders for style.

The sixth style and final style of bicycle is actually a tricycle! These bikes are known as Adult Trikes (seen above): they are designed with wheel sizes from 20-26″ and are built with two rear wheels and a single front wheel to increase stability. These bikes are designed for light on road use, typically by the elderly or those who have trouble with balance or stability. These bikes have a relaxed riding position and can accommodate all styles of riders to make them multi-functional.

Now that I have discussed the Main styles of bicycles, it is your job to decipher which one best suits your riding style and how you intend to use the bicycle. If you are like myself, one bike will not fit all applications and you will end up with a garage full and have a different one for each day of the week, just like the clothes in your closet.

If you did not see a style of bicycle above that suits your needs, you may fit into a specific category that I did not discuss in this post. These styles of bikes are typically more unique and although widely used… are not as highly demanded as the others. If you have any questions about the styles of bikes I discussed, or what else is available from our retail stores, just ask me in a comment or contact either of our stores!

As always… I hope to see you out there and remember to be careful when riding!

Bryan